Cooking Fire

Need a quick hot fire for cooking when out in the bush? Find a nice round log size, depends on how big you need the fire. I think people call it a Swedish candle. It is easy to build and you will have a functional fire with minimal effort and fuel.

Check out a quick video here >Video on DTube

If anyone knows how to embed Dtube to posts please let me know in the comments below, I have tried a few of the how to's and none work

General Steps

1. Split the log vertically into 4 quarters.
2. Arrange the logs back into place and;
3. Tie the log with wire a towards the bottom end of the logs.
4. At the top end of the logs, separate the top of the quarters such that you can fit paper, light leaves, coconut husks and a bit of kindling (small chips of wood or twigs).
5. Light the paper or whatever it is you stuffed in there.
6. have beer and wait for the quarters to catch. Doesn't take long 10-15 min
7. Cook fish heads.

I didn't have a round log, or wire therefore had to improvise, I used 3 logs pushed together and held in place with rocks. This would have worked a lot better if I had split the log myself and the pieces fitted neater, however the principle works the same.

Once the logs catch, you will have a jet of flames at the top and plenty of heat for cooking.

I used a hot plate over the flames resting on the wood candle. It would be better if I supported this slightly above the flames with rocks or branches. I used rocks and other logs to regulate the heat by blocking and unblocking the air gaps on the sides of the wood candle.

Then before you know it dinner is ready, and you will have enough energy to cook more and boil some water for tea or just keep a little warmer. It is quite efficient use of the wood because the heat is concentrated at the top where you need it. If you are trying to keep warm a traditional fire will radiate more heat as opposed to concentrating it. It does not require copious amounts of paper and kindling to ignite the logs and will be going in a bout 15 minutes.

LB